Summary: Reader is having a panic attack and Tech is tasked with calming them down. This was a request from @narcissa-of-kaas so this one is all for you!
Author's Note: I know that someone rambling at you isn't everyone's way of dealing with a panic attack but it definitely works for me every time. I also haven't gone into massive emotional depth with it because well, trigger trigger.
Warnings: May be triggering for some, I don't know. If discussions of intense panic trigger you, I would maybe say DNI? One swear word and a lot of angst.
Word Count: 1.5k
You'd watched your mother die.
It happened right in front of you, and it was all your fault. You'd help these clones hide from the Empire and your mother paid the price. It should've been you. Why wasn't it you?
You did the right thing, my brave, darling girl. Those were her final words before the life dissipated from her eyes, her hand on your cheek. You'd cried into her, holding her to you.
Had it been the right thing? You no longer knew. You'd kept them hidden for several days, got to know them and they knew you. You'd fed them, allowed them to wash, allowed them to wander your home and its grounds at will. It had been a very pleasant experience with a truly horrific ending. The worst ending.
Tech had learned that you were an anxious person, but you overcame that to do the right thing. He admired that about you. When he watched you cry into your mother with the Empire swarming closer and closer to you, he knew he had to get you out of there. Tech placed his hands under your knees and around your middle and lifted you away from your mother. Your wails were now suddenly vibrating through his body as he ran for the Marauder. You called out for her and Tech felt his heart shatter. He'd grown fond of you and of her. Your anguish was hurting him too.
As you pulled away from his chest, you found he had taken you aboard their ship and he held onto you until he reached his bunk on the ship. Tech made space on his bed, wires and cables everywhere, and told you to wait there. To relax there. But you couldn’t relax. Not after that.
It was all your fault. Your fault. Your mistake. It should’ve been you.
It should've been me. It was all my fault, your mind regurgitated these phrases over and over until your whole body was racked with anxiety. You felt the panic begin to surge through your body. Your feet were numbing and your legs were following in close suit. You tried to breath but all you could manage were small gulps and tear stained huffs of air. You couldn't breathe. You couldn't move. You couldn't do a damn thing.
The voices inside your head began cascading into one another and the voices were so loud. So loud you feared that others would hear it. Hunter had certainly picked up on your condition but was focused on escaping the Empire first. Your world had just crumbled around you, your feelings were to be expected. It was my fault, you reminded yourself again. What now? You had no home. No family. Nothing. It had all been demolished by one shot, directly to the heart.
You could do nothing but sit upright with your head in your hands. Your clammy palms felt heated against your cool forehead. Or perhaps your forehead wasn't cool but rather your palms were hot. You didn't know. You lifted your head and clasped your hands together.
The ship veered and shook as Tech and Hunter worked on your escape. When they finally managed the jump to hyperspace, you continued to feel the full force of your mistakes. It only felt stronger the further you got from your mother's body.
Your heart raced. Your palms were drenched even further in sweat as you repeatedly rubbed your hands together. You couldn't stop the motion. Just rubbing until friction was felt and repeating the motion until it hurt a little to do so.
You pawed at your brain. The palm of hand beating into your temple as you did so. Thud. Thud. Thud. You very often bruised your face in this manner. You couldn’t help it. It was as if you needed the physical pain to match the inner pain you were experiencing.
And then you heard it. It was as if you heard the voice at the end of a rather long and exceedingly dark tunnel. Even if they bellowed you feared you’d never hear it clearly. Never hear it over the ringing of the electricity which set your brain alight. The voice called out once more, but the distance was too great.
The voices in your head were hiding whatever voice was calling out to you. Tech had unexpectedly left the cockpit as soon as they'd made the jump to hyperspace. Hunter knew why so didn't question it. He knew how much you mattered to Tech.
“Omega,” you heard the muffled sound of Tech’s voice in the distance. “What did you say her mother did to calm her down?” At the mention of your mother’s name, you heart both soared and broke as you remembered her being shot. You began to rock back and forth, unable to breathe. You felt like you were choking on your grief. "Omega, quickly. Think. She is hardly breathing in here."
There was a muffled response from Omega and suddenly Tech had kneeled in front of you. You were shaking heavily, and you choked on your breath. Suddenly, you felt him grab your hands. Just like your mother used to.
That was the first step. Grounding.
You looked up at Tech through your lashes and he squeezed your hands together gently in his. The voices began to slow; they were a little less loud. Still there, still repeating that it was your fault but you tried to focus on Tech.
“You need to breathe slowly,” Tech said as he grabbed your hands. “I do not know the stories your mother said to calm you. But I believe that it is actually the sound of someone speaking is the thing that calms you down. We can try to regulate your breathing together. I am excellent at talking and storytelling so perhaps I could try?” Tech queried as he gently squeezed at your hands for a second time. He felt the tremor that was coursing through your body, and he suddenly almost felt it as his own. He frowned. But when you nodded furiously, he realised he needed to carry on talking. “I cannot tell her stories and I know she is gone. I know that you are scared, and I fear I will never truly understand why as it is not in my nature. But perhaps I can tell you one of my stories. Perhaps that would help?”
All you could muster was a gentle nod as you clung to his hands trying to centre yourself. You tried to focus on the feeling of his hands in yours. On the solid bed beneath you. But you couldn’t stop your lungs and heart from hyperventilating. Tech decided to start with the tale of Safo Toma. It was an odd, exciting tale and he figured that was an excellent place to start.
As he spoke softly to you, telling you of his time as a racer in an attempt to save their ex-work partner Cid. Of the colourful and chaotic tale of understanding schematics and the adjustments he made to the pod in order to win the race. He sighed and continued on, "Omega and Wrecker thought I was being idiotic, getting rid of the weapons systems. They were simply slowing me down and I needed speed and manoeuvrability in order to succeed in the blocked off tunnel. They say it was a death trap. If that is so then I defied death that day. Though I suppose we defy death every day," and then Tech realised what he had said. Your eyes began watering again, but your breathing had slowed, so he must be on the right track. "I'm sorry, that was a thoughtless comment."
"No, no, it's fine. Your st-story is working," you mumbled, stuttering only occasionally, "so, did you win?" You wanted the end of that story.
"Of course I did," he said confidently, "there was never any doubt." You laughed at that and he was grateful for that. The soft, accented lilt of his voice was extremely calming.
You’d previously thought your mother was the only one who could calm you. But now. Now there was another. Tech. A surprising turn of events. When you finally raised your topaz eyes to look at his, you saw nothing but sympathy and concern. His brow was heavily knitted as he looked at you. Without thought, you reached forward to kiss him but the second your lips connected with his, he lurched backwards.
“I…I’m so sorry,” you spluttered out quickly, blushing profusely, “I shouldn’t have done that. I was stupid to think you want that.” You began rubbing your palms together furiously again as he’d released your hands in all the motion.
Suddenly, his strong nimble fingers held on your wrists, pausing your ministrations. “Meshla,” he whispered, “I very much would like to kiss you. I would even say I want to do more than just that. But I will not let something as important as that to blossom out of panic. I don't want it borne from sadness. When you kiss me, I want you to be sure. I want you to be calm. When you kiss me, I want it to be a positive memory.” He removed one hand from your wrists to adjust his goggles.
And with that, your hands were finally still and your breathing was steady.
Summary: Everyone is a little fragile after the Ipsium incident and Tech wonders if you'd be better off with someone...well, less like him.
Authors Note: Sorry if this is awful.
Warnings: None
Word Count: 3k
When you walked into Cid's parlour, you could feel that something was different. Very different.
The air was uneasy. All the usual happiness, the playfulness of relaxation was gone.
Yet, the bar was quiet as usual. Bolo and Ketch were certainly normal. Their boisterous laughter was the only sound in the room.
Cid was fixing one of the slot machines and the Bad Batch were not speaking to her and she was not speaking to them. There was a painful silence suspended in the air around them all.
Suddenly, you knew what was different. Your favourite clones were silent, contemplative and one clone was missing. Where on earth was Tech.
His usual spot at the end of the bar was empty.
"Where's Tech?" You asked as you made your way around the dirty tables. Hunter had spotted you as you came through the door but he had sensed your approach moments before. He noticed that you were still in your formal work dress and boots. You'd come straight here because you knew they'd returned and Hunter knew exactly why you'd come.
He knew you couldn't resist seeing Tech.
"He's fixing the ship. He didn't seem to want any company so we left him to get on with it." Hunter muttered most of those words, the deep intonation of his voice rumbled through the uneasy air. He took a long slurp of the drink in his hand before he placed it on the bar. Despite this action, his eyes remained fixed on you.
Your eyes drifted to Omega. You had been worried for her since Tech had informed you in a message that he had stayed behind on Coruscant. She looked broken and you knew how much she missed Echo. You also knew how much she feared being left behind by her brothers.
And now that was becoming a reality for her. You felt a paroxysm of sympathetic pain in your chest as you looked at Omega, then Hunter and Wrecker. They all looked disgruntled, tired and a little bit lost and you didn't think that Echo was the only reason. Though his absence clearly did not help.
Truthfully, you were shocked that Echo had decided to stay behind. You understood why but surely he knew the pain that Omega would feel.
As you approached her, she finally looked up at you and offered a tired smile.
"Holding up okay, kid?" You asked with a quirked brow. She always giggled slightly at the odd expression on your face. She nodded her head and as you placed your hand upon her shoulder, you felt her cool hand immediately reach for yours. She kept her hand atop yours.
You wanted her to know that you were there. It wouldn't stop her missing Echo but you could reassure her that she'd never be truly alone.
Your finger gently brushed over the Kyber crystal around your neck. A dear friend gave this to you before Order 66, before the Empire. You also thought it protected you as you fought against the Empire. Omega watched your fingers graze over the crystal gently.
You took hold of the thread that held the crystal around your neck and lifted it off. You held it out for Omega. As she took hold of it, her face lit up.
"Now Omega," you began, bending down onto one knee, your eyes level with hers, "this crystal was a gift from a dear friend who died a long time ago. He saved me when I was scared, when I was alone. He told me that it would protect me and it always has." She looked at you and tried to hand it back to you.
Qui-Gonn has been with me for all these years and now your neck felt empty but you knew Omega needed the comfort of the crystal more than you.
The bloodstone crystal was in her small, soft hand and the thread hung loosely around her sides of her hand. Her index finger reached to softly stroke the crystal and you could feel the force glow around it. Qui-Gonn would be happy with you giving it away. After all, he had given it you when you were only a lost child and now you were doing the same.
You folded your fingers around hers so that she grasped the crystal, "and now I am gifting this to you. It will keep you safe. Keep your brothers safe, even Echo."
"Thank you," she whispered and placed the crystal around her neck. With a nod, you stood and grabbed Hunter's drink from the bar. You took a small sip and smirked at Hunter. Normally he would be bothered by the action but his heart had softened at your kindness to Omega.
"Tech definitely at the ship," Omega quipped as her fingers played with the crystal, "if you want to go see him, do. He may not want our company right now. But I think he'll appreciate yours. He wasn't sure if you were in Ord Mantell so he didn't know if she should contact you."
Omega was far too intuitive for her own good.
With that kind affirmation, you fixed your dress and headed out the door.
------------------------
If Omega believed Tech was in the dockyard, then that is where you wanted to go. As you approached the Marauder, you carefully approached the toned legs sticking out as the rest of the body was covered by the Marauder. When you were close enough, you gently nudged the leg that was raised up. "Hello Tech," you offered as he continued his work.
You heard him mumble a gentle but saddened hello.
For a moment, you stood back and simply watched his nimble fingers rewiring the ship. As his hand took the hydrospanner from his belt, he continued on with his work.
He was unsually quiet.
Even the dockyard felt different. You called out his name gently and he immediately rolled out from under the ship, his eyes fixed on you. There was a melancholy edge to his gaze. Those wonderful brown eyes, which were usually so confident and happy, glistened with doubt and insecurities.
“Are you okay?” You slowly asked as he dropped his head back down, looking at the ship. He didn't continue working, yet he feared looking at you as he couldn't give away everything he was feeling.
He blinked at you and asserted, "I am fine, thank you." He played with the spanner in his hand and pushed himself back under the ship. He began tweaking away. You rested your arm against a metal crate that was beside the ship. You shivered as the cool metal lowered your body temperature. The air cooled considerably as you simply watched him work.
You knew he wasn't ready to talk.
So, you took out your PADD and began looking at your work briefs for your upcoming trial. A case of criminal negligence by an important official in Naboo. A somewhat unpleasant case to deal with but you prided yourself on fighting for those who cannot fight for themselves. You had limited time on Ord Mantell but even a moment with Tech made the trip to this planet worth it.
For a while, you both worked away. You read through the brief and reviewed the submitted evidence. You only stopped to hand Tech the tools he needed that were out of his grasp.
Secretly, you loved these comfortable silences where productivity was valued over baseless conversation and you didn't want to push him into talking about whatever had placed sadness in his eyes.
Suddenly, Tech pulled himself out from under the ship and stood quickly, his eyes fixed on you. He brushed off his blue trousers and adjusted his goggles, as he always did when he was nervous. He sucked in a breath and bluntly asked, “would you not prefer to be around someone who expressed emotions the way others do?”
“What?” You asked, shocked by his unexpected outburst.
“I know that perhaps I do not focus my attention on you the way I should. I upset Omega simply because I could not understand her reaction to Echo’s temporary departure. It led me to wonder if I am capable of being a suitable companion to someone as wonderful as you.”
You are so much more than a companion Tech, you painfully admitted to yourself. Your actual response was perhaps a little more conservative, you'd never really discussed what you were to each other. He had approached you slowly and positioned himself next to you, his back and hips pressed against the crate.
“No Tech,” you reached for his free hand, “I prefer you. I prefer your fascination with everything unexplained, everything technical, everything wonderful. I prefer your mind, your way of speaking. The way you explain everything to me. You are so much more than suitable. You are more than enough. I just…” you gave his hand a gloved gentle squeeze and his cheeks coloured, his head turned away, “I just prefer you.” You pulled at his hand gently, encouraging him to look at you again. You couldn’t help the slight frown that crossed your lips as you were pained by his self-doubt. His eyes remained on the floor. “Why would you ask me such a thing, Tech?”
“On our most recent mission to mine the Ipsium, Omega truly believed that I did not care about the absence of Echo. I –“ he laced his fingers through yours, adding strength to a previously limp connection, “I was unaware that this was the brashness I was presenting. I managed to upset Omega, Wrecker…even Hunter. Simply because I process information and situations differently than they do.”
“There is nothing wrong with the way you process information, Tech.” You raised his hand gently and kissed his fingertips, yet you noticed that his expression remained pained. However, he let out a soft sight as you placed a second careful kiss to his fingertips. You wished he wouldn't wear gloves. Well, pained for Tech. His eyes were lingering on the Marauder and his lips ever so slightly frowned. You looked at the ship which was lit under the soft glow of the moon from above and a harsh glow from the spotlights below the ship fought with the soft light of the moon as the light glimmered on the ship.
“That is not all that happened on this mission.” He sighed gently and you gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” As he began to explain what happened to Omega, the conversation they had in the cave, the ‘failures’ he had encountered from his behaviour to the kid that had stolen their ship, you felt your heart ache for him. Your chest tightened with every snippet of information he discussed, and he discussed many.
He hadn’t let go of your hand. This simple act of affection meant everything to you.
As he finished his tale, you let out a pained whisper, “Tech.” He still didn’t look at you.
“Is there a different way I should be expressing my emotions?”
“No, Tech. The way you are is just fine.”
“But perhaps –“ He began and before you could allow his thoughts to spiral, you interrupted his pained thoughts. “If you think for even one second that you need to change the way you are then you must listen to me.” He let go of your hand so that he could rub at the back of his neck. You place your hand on his cheek, feeling the heat of his embarrassment. “You are magnificent, and you are wonderful, just as you are.”
His expression was still pained. I had better confess it now, whilst I am trying to express my emotions, he thought logically. “I also worry that you may also be unaware of my true feelings at times. That was my true reason for asking.” He said it so plainly that you couldn’t help but experience a bolt of lightning hitting your stomach. Not only did he care; he cared about you in a way that he had never truly expressed.
“Tech, I know how much you care for your brothers. For Echo. For Crosshair. But I also know that you care about me.” The corners of your lips twitched as the heat reached your cheeks. The cool air made the heat of your cheeks tender.
“I was not simply confessing that I care about you. Not in the way I care for my lost brothers.” He countered gently and the dusted pink of his cheeks began spreading to his neck. He looked into your eyes, searching for evidence that he should not continue, that you were uncomfortable with his train of thought. Yet, he only found the usual caring gaze in your emerald eyes. He had always loved the depth of green he saw when he looked into them deeply. “I was referring to my ardent and, at times, amorous feelings for you.”
“The amorous feelings you have for me?” You repeated slowly, as if you were entirely unaware of them.
He hadn’t ever directly mentioned them before, although you had suspected them. He always took the time to explain technical things to you. He sat closer to you than he did anyone else. You had caught him staring at certain revealing outfits you had worn for political events. You noticed the way he smiled when you were heatedly debated things with Echo. Simply put, you had noticed the little things.
“Tech, if you think I am unaware that you care a great deal about me then you are, possibly for the first time since I’ve known you, sorely mistaken.” He looked perturbed at the notion he had been so obvious. He thought he had been discrete.
With a soft chuckle you let go of his hand and hopped up onto the metallic crate that your body had been resting against as you’d spoken to him. As he simply watched you, with a sheepish but doe-eyed expression, you couldn’t help but shake your head with a chuckle. You indicated that he should sit next to you.
With a little pat, pat on the space beside you.
He complied and quickly moved to sit next to you. His shoulders uncharacteristically sagged a little. The pain of the recent revelations clearly weighing on his body. You gently whispered his name as you looked up towards the moons effervescent light. His head didn’t quite face you but you could tell you’d dragged him from his thoughts.
“I meant what I said, my darling clone.” The pink hue reappeared on his cheeks. “I prefer you. I would even say that I care about you more than anyone. Plus,” you chuckled faintly again, “I am hardly an expert on excessive emotion. I am a lawyer, a politician of sorts I suppose. Reason, logic and knowledge are the things I cherish the most. You have all of those things in your marvellous brain in abundance.” With a startled stutter, his eyes finally snapped up to yours. “Did you think I have a wealth of work on Ord Mantell? I don’t come here for legal debate. I come here for you. I will always go where you are. I can’t seem to help myself.”
My god, how could he not know?
You hadn’t noticed the silence that filled the usually cluttered and crowded dockyard. It floated around you both melodiously. But as you noticed that he had no intention of speaking, you continued with your confession, “Tech, it’s okay that you don’t express things the way others do. I understand you and I understand the little things that you do for me. I know what it all means. I know you care. I wouldn’t ask anymore of you because what we have, even though we haven't labelled it, is wonderful, just as it is.”
“Thank you,” he whispered gently, taking hold of your hand once more. You took the opportunity to rest your head on his muscular shoulder. It was softer than you expected.
And then he did the truly unexpected. He rested his head atop yours.
“I am glad that you understand me, meshla.” He said it so gently that you weren’t absolutely sure that he’d said it. He sighed and said, “I have so many repairs to do. We have issues with the skip drive, the power grid is slightly damage from the scrappers who stole the ship and Omega has broken her communications device again.”
“Again?” You laughed as you spoke. That kid breaks that device every time they leave this planet, you thought gently. Tech uttered a yes as he pulled the device out from his belt. The buttons blinked erratically, and you could see the plate was bent out of place.
“Sorry,” he whispered as he lay his back on top of yours, “I suppose I just ruined the moment.”
“Not at all. If anything, you proved that you will always be the magnificent Tech that I care so much for. Fixing everything and impressing the hell out of me.” Your eyes closed softly as you enjoyed the warmth radiating from him. “You could even say that this is romantic.”
“How is this” he gestured to the cluttered dockyard, “romantic?”
“We are sitting together under moonlight.” You laughed and confirmed, “that’s pretty damn romantic to me.”
"You look very... pretty this evening. I -" he smiled softly as his fingers played with the fabric pooled around your thighs. "I find this dress very distracting, it is simply gorgeous."
"Thank you. I had another silly corporate dinner." You feel into a comfortable silence.
“I suppose now would not be an appropriate time to start fixing the comm device.” You laughed at this statement, knowing he was eager to get back work.
“No it wouldn’t,” you lifted your head and gingerly reached towards him, placing a soft kiss to his cheek, “but do it anyway. But let me tell you a secret first.” He looked shocked as his head finally turned your direction. You kissed his cheek again, liking the way it made his cheeks flush deeper. He was almost crimson now. After that little kiss, you were close enough to reach and whisper in his ear. “I find it extremely sexy when you work on the ship.”
He arched an eyebrow and afforded you a true Tech smile. He was calm once more. You always knew the right thing to say.
Sexy, he wondered, how on Earth was it sexy? He realised the why didn’t really matter. What mattered was how he could keep you thinking that.
And so, he reached for his tool belt and pulled out a small hydrospanner. Time to get to work.
Rule: post the first lines of your last 10 fics posted to Ao3. If you have less than 10 fics posted, post the first lines of all your fics.
Boy, oh boy. Thanks for nominating @dangraccoon!
I'm gonna put a keep reading here so I don't clog your dashboards with my shite.
If I had Known (Tech x Reader)
AN: Easily one of my most popular Tech works. Reader is jealous of Phee and it just turns super fluffy. Found here.
After your shift ended, you wandered towards Cid's, bag over your shoulder, expecting to find your favourite clones relaxing between missions. That is where they had told you they would be.
Yet, when you arrived, you found the bar to deserted. Looking very much like it did in the days before the Bad Batch came crashing into your world. Why was the bar empty?
Where's Your Toothpick? (Crosshair x Reader)
You and your best friend, Jenshay (or Jen, for short), often frequented 79s, the clone bar. You liked the stories the clones told, you liked that a fight happened every, single time. But most of all, you really liked Crosshair.
The only problem? It would seem that Crosshair did not like you.
You sighed at the thought. Shaking off your insecurities, you finished getting ready for the evening. Choosing out your favourite red dress, which tied at the waist, showed off both your figure and your breasts, you quickly push the dress over your head and pull it down.
Full Fic Here
Rex Ficlet (Headcanon): Making Out
You occasionally found yourself alone with Rex and in various situations that were often brought about by your friend, Anakin. He’d thrown you together in lodgings on missions and bars when there was downtime. He’d even pushed you into a briefing room once when Rex was handing out assignments, he simply looked at you perplexed. But one-night things became very different.
The first night. That first night where you finally caved, turning slowly away from the ways of the Jedi. You felt the end of the war closing in around the Jedi, despair weighing heavy, although you were not sure why.
You were out on the balcony, avoiding the political wolves and the generally unpleasant ambience of the inner gathering.
Full Ficlet Here
Batter Up (Wrecker x Reader)
Wrecker had been away on a mission for quite some time. Longer than usual. Since you'd begun spending more and more time together, it made the absences even more difficult and lonely.
He kept in contact wherever he could but you knew that wasn't always easy for him to, and so you appreciated the effort. He would send you soppy short messages like 'thinking of you' or 'I miss seeing your smile'. These silly little messages always made you smile with glee and almost jump and down on the spot in euphoria. He was thinking about you as much as you were thinking of him.
Sometimes, when they were resting on the Marauder, you'd talk over comms and you'd carry on and on until you could hear him snoring away and his eyes lightly closed. You'd end the transmission, smiling to yourself.
But today's message was different, it simply read, 'I'm coming home'.
Full Fic Here.
Just As You Are (Tech x Reader)
When you walked into Cid's parlour, you could feel that something was different. Very different.
The air was uneasy. All the usual happiness, the playfulness of relaxation was gone.
Yet, the bar was quiet as usual. Bolo and Ketch were certainly normal. Their boisterous laughter was the only sound in the room.
Cid was fixing one of the slot machines and the Bad Batch were not speaking to her and she was not speaking to them. There was a painful silence suspended in the air around them all.
Suddenly, you knew what was different. Your favourite clones were silent, contemplative and one clone was missing. Where on earth was Tech.
Full Fic Here.
Tech Support (Tech x Reader)
You sat under the famous tree of Pabu and scratched the chalk calmly across the paper. You began furiously blending the contours of his face, his cheeks, his jaw, as you remembered them in your mind. But you had only seen him from a distance and currently, he was up in the sky teaching Omega how to fly. So no chance of sketching from a distance, as you'd previously done. The ship frantically swooped low in the sky, causing a sudden gust of wind to bustle around you, flipping the page of sketchbook slightly. You enjoyed the sensation as the hairs on your arm stood on end as the sudden cool chill swept over you. Your head hit the bark as the Marauder rushed past you, disappearing into the distance of the sparse clouds.
The sun shone wildly as it so often did on Pabu. A little piece of paradise that you were now grateful to call home. You raised your hand to cover your eyes as you watched the ship disappear.
Full Fic Here.
Beautiful (Wrecker x Reader)
You looked at yourself in this beautiful scarlet dress. The low neckline was designed to show off certain assets. The chifron sleeves flowed down around your arms, opening at the sleeve. The georgette skirt flowed down to your knees. The dress was beautiful.
You, however, were not. This dress wasn't designed for you. You looked in the mirror and sighed. This dress is too pretty for the likes of me, you thought beratingly to yourself. You felt the tears start falling from your eyes.
Your arms looked fat, your thighs were fat and rubbed together, your waist was too wide, your cheeks too plump. Everything was just ugly.
You had spent two hours getting ready for your date with Wrecker.
Full Fic Here.
Gregor: Making Out (Headcanon/Ficlet)
Rex had come to ask for your help several rotations ago. Clones were being shot, tortured, hunted and they needed a medic. You were one such medic, familiar with clone physiology and an old friend to Rex. So, you couldn’t say no.
Rex opted not to tell you that Gregor was alive, he didn’t want you distracted whilst working. But one fateful day, the Bad Batch brought your secret love home.
“Medic!” Rex voice bellowed through the hall, and you whipped your head around the corner, still wiping the dirt from your hand. You felt your heart race at the prospect of more carnage.
Full Fic Here.
Saviour (Tech x Reader)
You’d been on the planet, scanning the perimeter, just as Saw had asked you to. He always kept you at a safe distance from the drama wherever he could. You had your earpiece in but were playing gentle music as you sat on the tree stump incredibly bored.
That’s when the explosions happened, lighting up the sky before it clouded over with smoke. Well, they’d been successful at least. You watched as the tram line came speeding out of the building and you assumed this had been them.
You stood and removed the earpiece playing music. “Nicely done, Saw,” you mumbled.
But then, you saw someone falling.
Full Fic Here.
It's not goodbye, not really (Echo x Reader)
You were working at Cid's that night. As you did most nights, since landing on that god forsaken planet. Cid had been kind enough to take you in, employ you and find you somewhere to stay.
It was in her bar that you first met her so-called 'mercenaries'. You immediately knew that the bounty on you would be nothing compared to the bounty on them.
It was also the first place you saw him. The stoic clone who seemed to delight in your attention and friendship. You bonded over your stories of being held captive. A certain kind of pain that only a certain kind of person could understand.
After you told him your story, your real story, he insisted on walking you home. He insisted on walking you home every time you saw him after that.
Full Fic Here.
I think that's 10. I also think they're out of order but I cannot for the life of me remember the order I wrote this shit.
I would like to nominate:
@littlebluebatbrat, @nahoney22 (although, I think they're on a few people's list), @echos-girlfriend, @captaingregorswife
I'm going to do an all night writing binge tonight, whilst I have the writing bug and not the depression bug.
The Wrecker story I promised will be out first. And if you requested a Wrecker story I'll work on those too.
If anyone wants to request a Hunter, Echo or Tech story or head cannons, please pop me a message or ask! Even if you just want Omegas best friend stories let me know!
This story is a slow burn but I thought the rescue would be important! Sorry if it's boring.
But it will definitely heat up in the next chapter!
Warnings: One swear word, maybe a little violence, but I would argue that most of it is poorly written!
Word Count: 3,084 (whoops)
Part One
Kelsa was sat on the floor of the Marauder, her heart racing at the loss of her friend. Her back rested against the wall and she had raised her knees towards her chest. She fiddled with the silver ring on her finger as her hands rested on top of her knees.
Tech was walking through the plan, in excruciating detail.
She hadn't realised a plan of smash, blast and grab could even be so detailed. She wanted to bang her head against the wall - this was taking too long.
Echo, Wrecker, Hunter and Omega had all gathered around Tech's datapad, which projected the holographic layout of the palace they had scouted earlier.
"It should be a simple extraction, based upon the intel gathered by Kelsa and I earlier today." He gave her a brief glance, though his face seemed expressionless. "Kelsa is insisting upon joining us. But, based on her history with Commander Cody and General Obi-Wan Kenobi, I cannot see that this would jeopardise the mission at hand. Obviously, we work better alone but -"
"Obviously," Kelsa snorted. "Look," she sighed, "I'll follow orders from all of your. As far as I am concerned, even Omega is my current commanding officer. There will be no freestyling. I won't go rogue. I will be very boring and well behaved. Just think of me as the newest member of the Bad Batch." Tech blinked at her, perhaps I said something to irritate her?
"Right," Tech finally said, after an excruciating moment of silence, "exactly." He gave Kelsa and his brothers a curt nod before closing the holoimage. He retreated back to the cockpit and began their entry into the Wayland system.
"Don't worry Kelsa," came the soft voice of Omega. Kelsa had been too busy fidgeting with her ring to notice the child approach her. She felt a warm hand settle on top of hers, stopping her fidgeting fingers. "We'll get your friend back." Kelsa couldn't help but smile.
"Thanks, kid," Kelsa chuckled, "I appreciate it."
The shuttle landed about 60 clicks from the main bridgeway. Geared up, minus the helmets, and raring to go, the clones began to disembark. All except for Wrecker, Tech and Kelsa. What had stalled their exit was Kelsa's own gearing up process, namely her body armour and rifle. She wore a black body piece and vambrances, both made of beskar, and she had slew her E-10 rifle across her shoulder. She had gently begun removing her hair from underneath the back of her armour before turning to look at the clones. Tech decided to put his helmet on whilst she was getting ready.
Wrecker and Tech were staring at her. They were staring for far longer than would be considered normal. Tech could feel his cheeks heating beneath his helmet and it was not caused by the armour. I will have to check my vitals later, something is amiss, he thought.
"What?" Kelsa asked, putting her hand on her hip. She stared purposefully, her eyes lingering on each of them for a few seconds.
"UH-" Wrecker started, rubbing the back of his neck, "it's nothing. Jus' never seen a pretty girl in armour before." Kelsa laughed, an uproarious, and to Tech, mortifying laugh.
"That's not why I was -" Tech began, his finger raised.
"Seriously boys? You've never seen a woman in armour before? And that does it for you, does it?" Kelsa shook her head, her laugh even louder than before, and star
"That's not why I was -" Tech began again but Kelsa was already off the ship before he could finish his thought. He sighed heavily. Great.
As Kelsa approached Hunter, he raised his fist in order to halt the team behind the tree-line. A small battalion of clone troopers, six to be precise, were walking across the bridge and out into the green field that lay before them. One by one, they lowered themselves down and readied their weapons.
"How good is your aim, Seargent?" Kelsa whispered. Hunter's head whipped around and saw that she was holding an EMP grenade. He quirked his lips into a smirk and said, "good enough to hit one of those. How good is your aim?" She rolled her eyes.
"Good enough for this." Hunter nodded to her and gave the order. Tech was now crouched behind Kelsa, fully aware of what needed to be done. But she said it nonetheless, clearly not used to the intelligence of an enhanced clone. "Reckon you could give me some co-ordinates, Tech?" With a nod, Tech lowered his visor and replied "75, mark 191."
75, mark 191, Kela thought. She closed her eyes for a moment and centred her breathing. She had one shot. So, she stepped out, throwing the EMP. Hunter fired a second later. It was a direct hit.
The blast hit all six troopers. Falling to the ground, writhing from the shock. The troopers shook for a few moments and then stilled. Stunned and incapacitated. The team pushed forward. Kelsa grabbed one of the E-11 blaster rifles as they passed.
Six troopers down.
Only seven remained outside. They couldn't confirm the numbers inside the palace doors.
But outside, there were five on the bridge and two at the door.
Sneaking forward, bodies low to the ground, the group divided and took cover behind the marble statues on either side of the bridge. Remember, Kelsa thought, follow the orders. Don't deviate. I can't lose Beatiza. She steadied her breathing; it had been a while since she had been in any active combat. Not since the end of the war. Of the clone war anyway.
The troopers were marching down the bridge. She could hear their heavy boots crash in unison against the floor. It was an unsettling sound. She had no more EMPs. She only ever had room in her pockets for one. She didn't have the luxury of clone weaponry, despite her title as a weapons specialist.
That was not going to be an issue. Hunter gave Wrecker a command on their side of the bridge. A signal was given, a signal she obviously didn't know.
But Wrecker did. It was Wrecker's favourite order. Smash.
And so, with the gusto of a raging bull, Wrecker charged down the bridge. Kelsa desperately wanted to see what would happen next but Echo took point and was blocking the view.
She could guess what had happened next thought. There was the sudden sound of blasterfire, clones reporting a breach. The fire was shocking, speedy but brief.
The next sound she heard was that of screaming. Well, more like, screaming whilst falling would be the better way of putting it.
She laughed to herself quietly. "Wrecker is incredible," she whispered to Tech behind her.
"Yes, well, he may not like stealth. But he is more than equipped for a brawl." She laughed again. Although, that may not have been intended as a joke. Now she knew what that signal meant.
Hunter, Echo and Omega emerged from behind the marble statues and headed towards Wrecker guns raised. She noticed Tech circle around her, gun raised as he looked across the bridge. Only the guards at the door were left, but they had definitely been alerted to their presence. Heavy blasterfire ensued.
Tech looked at Kelsa, who seemed frozen in place. "Hunter and Echo will have no trouble with the guards on the door. We can go." But she didn't move, she wasn't sure why she couldn't move. Fear, probably. He gently offered her his gloved hand, which she took and he hauled her out from behind the statue.
His hand gave a gentle, reassuring squeeze before he let go.
Kelsa was shocked by the kindness of his action. They ran across the bridge side by side. He was right, Hunter and Echo did have them handled.
"AWH," Wrecker bellowed, "was that it?!" She had to admit, it had been extremely easy so far. Too easy.
Tech ran across to the remainder of the bridge to join Hunter and the control panel to the right of the door. The rest slowly closed in behind them.
Then Kelsa spotted him. The lone clone trooper aiming his weapon at Tech, as he worked on the door. Kelsa threw the E-11 blaster at the clone, smacking him in the head. Unsteadied, he fell off the side. One would assume to his death but people have survived worse falls. Darth Maul, for example, Kelsa was unhappily reminded of Satine. And Obi-Wan. A different era.
Tech turned spotting what Kelsa had done for him and offered a 'thank you' before returning to his work. He announced, "they have signalled for back up. We will need to work fast to avoid a real skirmish." Moments later, the door, dividing in the middle, flew open.
Tech turned back to Kelsa and said, "next time, you could just use the blaster to defeat the enemy."
"It was an E-11 Blaster," she said. He looked at her in confusion, so she justified that statement, "such an uncivilised blaster. No finesse. I wouldn't dream of firing one of those." As Tech shook his head, chuckling ever so slightly, Kelsa equipped her personal weapon and headed into the main hall, behind the clones and next to Omega.
As Kelsa looked around, she could not help but admire the splendour of the hall. Even if it was splendour built upon the suffering and enslavement of others. That would dampen her opinion, of course. There was white marble running down the centre of the hall, silver tiles laid in intricate patterns around it. Golden pillars ran alongside the marble steps which ran alongside the central walkway.
Her eyes drifted upwards and she could the light shining through the intricate stain glass window. Flickers of blue, yellow and pink glittered around the room, dancing in the light.
It was very beautiful, except for the next sight she saw. Beside the silver throne, she spotted Beatiza. The sight of Beatiza on her knees; her hands and neck cuffed. Kelsa's stomach dropped. Her friend looked awful. One eye was bruised and swollen. Even from a distance, she could see the cuts and scrapes all over her skin. Her clothes were ripped.
Kelsa's entire body was fuelled with a hot, blind rage. Kelsa tried to rush forward, but Tech placed his hand on her shoulder holding her back from an impulse decision. She looked at him with anger in her eyes but he simply shook his head.
And she knew he was right.
Damn it.
At the top of the room, all near the throne, there were four Zygerrians. Three standing, arms clasped in front of them and one, seated on the throne. That one, she knew. Of course, it would be him.
He stood as the Bad Batch grew closer.
"Ah, welcome." He spoke. "I am Alghom Tromas of the great nation of Zygerria. Thank you for returning my property to me." He raised his has as he spoke, pointing to Kelsa.
"Property?!" She yelled at him, "I am no-one's property!" She aimed her rifle at him before she heard it, the clattering of clone armour.
Damn it all.
Tech stopped her, with his hand on her shoulder again. He reached into her sight with one step and simply used one slender finger to point upwards to the balcony. The balconies on either side housed at least a dozen clone troopers, all with guns aimed at the team.
This was no longer the simple extraction they had hoped for.
"Return my friend to me, Alghom. We have no business with you." Kelsa knew this statement wouldn't work but she thought, fuck it.
"You promised to acquire my property, Kelsa. A contract was formed and you failed to deliver." Alghom stated and he seated himself back down on his throne. "That makes you my property by right, as forfeit." He raised his leg over the side of the chair and chuckled as he sat back. "Now, come. Join your friend in servitude. There is no need for your new friends to get hurt."
Kelsa looked at Hunter, hoping he had an idea. He returned her look with confusion, clearly relating to the statement Alghom had made. His eyes then drifted to the troopers, as if counting them.
"Any bright ideas anyone?" Kelsa tried to whisper. She flinched when it echoed around the barren hall. Thankfully, Tech then quipped, "I have a bright idea. Though, I fear you may not like it."
"So long as it works," Kelsa looked at Tech, ready to do whatever he asked. He nodded his head and continued, "for now, myself and the others will require some cover but we cannot do so without a distraction. You are a significant distraction."
Kelsa was going to try and not read into that statement too much.
"I need you to play along with his desire to capture you. Do not worry, I will not let him hurt you. Please, put down your rifle."
She lowered her blaster to the floor, the other hand raised in defeat. "Alright A-Alghom," her voice broke in fear, "you win. Just please, let my friends leave in peace. They have no quarrel with you." She stood up straight, hands raised and walked down the centre of the room. As she did so the Bad Batch retreated back, slowly, towards the pillars at the back of the room.
Alghom sneered with delight, swinging his legs together and leaned forward as if inspecting her. It was working, he certainly was distracted. "I don't want any more trouble. I - I just want to protect Bee." She used the nickname for damsel in distress emphasis.
"Come here, little one." He demanded. So she did, she continued to walk towards him. The lights from the window glittered across her skin. One of the three Zygarrians beside Alghom walked towards her and cuffed her hands. Another had procured chains which dangled beside them.
Kelsa was afraid now. What if the clones just left? She had given them the perfect opportunity to escape further battle.
As she knelt before Alghom, she looked back at the Bad Batch. Fear drenched her features and Tech could see it and he wondered if she thought they would leave. Certainly not, he thought.
With that thought in mind, he nodded to Hunter and Wrecker. Without another second passing, Wrecker had picked up Hunter and thrown him towards the left balcony. Gun in hand, Hunter took out two clones and his body pelted another two to the ground. Withdrawing his knife, he threw it at the remaining clone.
Blasterfire now echoed through the hall. Hunter managed to get one shot in to the other balcony, narrowly missing a trooper before taking cover.
They need a distraction, Kelsa realised. Something to draw their fire.
Without thinking, she charged at the three Zygarrians to the right of the Alghom and rammed two of them to the ground with the full force of her slight body. The clones were tasked to defend the Zygarrians so their fire was drawn to Kelsa.
Echo and Wrecker realised they had their opportunity and, from the corner of her eye, Kelsa saw Echo being thrown to the right balcony. He took out the remaining troopers with ease.
However, Kelsa was now stuck. Ducking and diving away from the attacks of the Zygarrians. She ducked and a dived as best she could but as they reached, punched, kicked and fought her, she realised she was outnumbered and Tech was occupied with the troopers who had come through the side door.
She was trapped.
Until, with the last of her strength mustered, Beatiza jumped on the Zygarrians, tackling them to the ground. Kelsa and Bee fought to keep them down and Alghom has risen. He had his whip in hand but seemed to frightened to use it.
As the blasterfire ceased, and the clones approached the throne, Alghom dropped the whip and raised his hands.
"Just," he sneered, "take them."
Tech held Kelsa up and held undo the bonds on her hands. He held her hands gently in his as he inspected her wrists for damage. Wrecker had picked up Beatiza and was already walking towards the exit.
As they all turned to leave, they could hear the shout of Alghom, one last time, as he warned, "BUT KNOW THIS, I will come for them and I will come for you, clones."
They made if safely back to the Marauder. Wrecker had placed Beatiza in a chair and was removing the bonds that held her captive even still.
Kelsa couldn't believe it. It had worked. Beatiza was finally safe.
As soon as the shuttle took off, Beatiza threw her arms around her friends neck. Kelsa melted into the embrace. She was safe.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you again," Beatiza confessed, a tear running down her cheek. She buried her head in Kelsa's neck, who only pulled her friend closer.
"You think I'd leave you behind?" She gently moved Beatiza back, getting her to look at the soft expression on her face, "never."
Suddenly becoming aware of the group of onlookers, Kelsa jumped back and smiled at them in thanks. "Of course, you will be wanting payment. It is well deserved." She started fidgeting as she stood up and hugged each of them. None of them quite knowing what to do with the hands, heads or just their whole bodies really.
She headed to the cockpit and sat beside Tech. "You'll have to head to Alderaan for payment," she looked at him to find he was already facing her. "But you will receive what you are owed." Tech nodded before returning his focus to the shuttle, laying in a course for Alderaan. Once Kelsa was sure everything was sorted, she asked Tech to stand.
Sheepishly he did so. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him close. She thanked him, like she had the others. He was awkward, like the others.
And yet, she held him closer than the others. Held him longer than the others. She kissed his cheek softly, unlike the others.
When she pulled back, she saw his confusion and laughed. "Thank you Tech." He pushed his goggles back up his nose and said "that was not quite as simple as we'd originally hoped."
Kelsa laughed and softly said, "no it wasn't, was it?"
As they approached the apartment door of Kelsa and Beatiza's home, the Bad Batch were surprised to find that they lived in the affluent area of Aldera. It was certainly a step up from their temporary home in Ord Mantell. The front door was painted a dark green and was numbered, '99'.
An odd coincidence, Tech thought.
Wrecker carried Beatiza's sleeping form inside, doped up from the pain relief Tech had given her. He lay her gently at the far side of the sofa.
As Kelsa laid down her weapon against the counter, she turned and found the rest of the Bad Batch loitering at the door, sheepishly. She sighed softly before announcing that they should come on in.
"It's been a busy few days, so please come in and take a seat. Relax, make yourselves at home." She busied herself in the kitchen, pulling out two bottles of Alderaan Twist and some glasses. "Please have a drink. It's the finest twist you'll find." The statement confused the clones until Tech sighed and confirmed "the drink is called an Alderaan Twist. It is a delicacy here in Aldera among the high elite."
Tech wondered why Kelsa would have it. It didn't seem to fit the persona he knew. But the boys filled their glasses and settled onto the sofas and chairs, waiting for their host to return.
Kelsa entered her bedroom and fished under the mattress for her hidden credits from recent missions. She found a spare pouch in her bedside drawer and emptied all of her credits into it. She sighed knowing that three missions worth of credits were now gone. But that didn't matter Beatiz was safe.
As she walked back out of her room, her heart was warmed by the sight before her. Beatiz was awake but still lying on sofa, showing Omega and Hunter a trinket that she had picked up during our mission on Coruscant. Omega's looked of wonderment was incredibly sweet.
Wrecker and Echo were hunched forward in the two lounge chairs deep in discussion, clearly discussing the taste of the drink. Based on what she could hear Wrecker saying. She couldn't hear Echo.
Her eyes then trailed to Tech, the man she believed was truly responsible for saving her friend from, what Kelsa could only describe as accidental enslavement. Her eyes softened, he had the PADD in hand, leaning back on the sofa, reading. She would love to know what he was reading. Perhaps a question for later?
She gave a slight cough, to get their attention and the room quickly fell silent. Hunter stood and approached her, "your friend is a little bruised, but Tech thinks she will be fine with a bit of rest."
"Thank you," Kelsa smiled, "your payment." She dropped the money into his hand, and covered it with the other. Hunter frowned, he no longer felt like they should take the money for freeing an enslaved girl. She grasped his hand tight, knowing what he was thinking. "Please, " she whispered, "just take the money. I am a weapon's specialist and there is still a war brewing. No matter what the Empire says." She let go of his hand and he nodded.
They re-joined the group in the lounge area. Hunter resumed his position beside Omega, his hand clutching the sofa behind her in a fatherly fashion. Beatiza has switched to stories of their antics and Kelsa hoped she remembered to keep the stories...'child friendly'. There are some stories that no child should hear. God, even she wishes she didn't know them; let alone lived through them.
"If you're not in a rush to get back to Ord Mantell, I'd like to cook you a fresh dinner," you announced, look at Tech with a soft smile, "as a thank you."
"YEAH!" Wrecker yelled and bumped Echo's shoulder.
She could tell that they clearly did not often get home cooked meals. She could also tell that she wouldn't need to ask twice.
"That would be appreciated," Techo said. "I have some questions I'd like to ask you."
"Okay..." Kelsa raised an eyebrow.
"Forty-seven questions, to be exact."
"Right. Well, you'd better come shopping with me then. I feel like this could take a while."
